bless, the Heavens and the Earth, all nature and all intelligences must unite to render happy. Though the floods lift up their waves, and the stormy winds rage, and every element break upon the slender bark which bears us onward, the helm is in the hands of one mightier than all, and by him we shall be carried safely to the haven we desire.

WHITSUNDAY.

SPIRIT of Truth! on this thy day
To Thee for help we cry,

To guide us through the dreary way
Of dark mortality!

We ask not, Lord! thy cloven flame,
Or tongues of various tone;
But long thy praises to proclaim
With fervor in our own.

We mourn not that prophetic skill
Is found on earth no more;
Enough for us to trace thy will
In Scripture's sacred lore.

We neither have nor seek the power

Ill demons to control;

But Thou, in dark temptation's hour,
Shalt chase them from the soul.

No heavenly harpings sooth our ear,
No mystic dreams we share;
Yet hope to feel Thy comfort near,

And bless Thee in our prayer.

When tongues shall cease, and power decay,

And knowledge empty prove,

Do Thou thy trembling servants stay,

With Faith, with Hope, with Love!

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS ON COMMON FAULTS.

WE all are chargeable more or less with faults which arise from our self-ignorance, our self-partiality, and our self-deception. Unless discovered and corrected, they may produce many compunctions of conscience, greatly diminish our usefulness, and bring much reproach on our christian character.

It is necessary very frequently to institute an inquiry into the state of our characters, if we would understand our errors. To this end the following plain questions are offered to those who are disposed to make the best use of any aid in the hard work of self-cultivation.

In regard to our personal duties, have we faithfully improved our privileges for mental, and moral, and religious instruction? Have not our appetites and passions frequently triumphed over the voice of reason and conscience? Have we not wasted much precious time; abused many opportunities for improvement, and greatly neglected the proper cultivation of our talents? Have not our thoughts been often vain and sinful? Have not our actions been too much influenced by selfish and worldly considerations? Have not our affections been too exclusively given to the world; to its vanities, and pleasures, and honors? Have not the moments been few, comparatively few, which we have devoted to the all

important concerns of our souls; to the acquisition of the graces and virtues of christianity? And for the want of proper self-cultivation and self-discipline, have not the rank weeds of worldly-mindedness sprung up in our hearts, and spread their poisoning influence over our whole character?

In regard to our social duties, have we loved our fellow men as ourselves? Have we not often cherished ill will and revengeful feelings towards those who have disappointed our expectations, crossed our wishes, or opposed our interests? Have we not sometimes suffered ignorant prejudice and party feeling to alienate our good will from those who were not on our side; and cause us to throw out designing hints, injurious suspicions, base insinuations, or unfounded charges respecting their motives, or principles, or conduct? Have we faithfully exerted our influence in checking the progress of wickedness and infidelity, and in promoting pure morality and practical religion? Have we habitually ministered of our substance, or our sympathy, or our good counsels, to the poor and wretched, the sick and afflicted, the ignorant and erring? In numberless instances, have we not thought things, and said things, and done things, which we should not wish others to think and say and do, were their case our own?

In regard to our religious duties, have we faithfully studied the sacred scriptures, and sincerely endeavored to make them the standard of our faith and practice? Has not our faith in Jesus been too weak and inoperative? Has our gratitude for his unmerited favors, and our love for his sublime and exalted character, been

properly cherished by a frequent perusal of his whole history, and an earnest contemplation of his heavenly virtues? When we have endeavored to worship the Father in spirit and truth, have not our thoughts wandered from the great object of prayer; and our affections been cold and languid; and unhallowed motives, and selfish desires, and unchristian wishes mingled in our petitions? And instead of loving our God with our whole heart, have we not been forgetful of his presence and blessings, and disobedient to his holy will?

The faults now hinted at are probably known in a greater or less degree to every one who knows his own heart, and is striving to cultivate and exhibit the virtues of the christian character. Our knowledge of them should make us humble, charitable, and watchful.

It should make us humble. If we truly know ourselves, we shall not be elated with spiritual pride. We shall never boast of our merits either for believing much, or doing much, or receiving much. We shall never say to our fellow sinner, either in words or actions,-stand by thyself, we are holier than thou. No. We shall the rather say—God be merciful to us sinners. We shall from the heart freely forgive all who trespass against us, as we hope for divine forgiveness. We shall look upon 'all mankind as brethren, children of the same parent, and equally dear to their common Father. On religious subjects, sensible of the difficulty of arriving at truth on all points; knowing how much our opinions are liable to be influenced by our feelings, our prejudices, our early associations, and our interests; conscious of our liability to err on all topics, especially on those which are incapable of perfect comprehension by finite minds, we shall 3

VOL. I.-NO. I.

ever assume the tone of humble diffidence rather than positiveness; and ever keep our judgments open for the admission of further evidence and more light, frankly confessing as well as really feeling, that we may be in error as well as others.

This knowledge of our faults should also make us charitable. Knowing our own failings, we shall feel disposed to make proper allowances for the failings of others. The less censorious shall we be, the more we know of our own heart. Instead of devoting our time and attention to the discovery and publication of our neighbor's faults, we shall find sufficient employment in discovering and correcting our own. Instead of condemning those who do not embrace our peculiar views of religion, we shall remember, that different minds are differently constituted, and differently educated, and differently affected by the same evidence; and under the influence of different impressions, and associations, and interests, and prejudices, and passions; and consequently may naturally and innocently arrive at different conclusions on the same subject. We shall recollect that others differ no more from us than we do from them; and that it is as impossible for others to alter their belief without further evidence, if their belief rests on evidence, as for us to alter ours. While we wish others to believe us sincere in our opinions, we shall cheerfully give them the same credit. And instead of denouncing any as heretics, or infidels, or enthusiasts, for a mere difference in religious sentiment, we shall cheerfully embrace in the arms of our charity, all who bring forth the fruits of righteousness.

This knowledge of our faults should likewise make us watchful. Temptations beset us on every side. We